News Release

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Illegal Firearm Purchaser Fights with Police While Being Taken Into Custody NR12408kr

Los Angeles: A man observed making an illegal firearm purchase fought with police while being arrested and was struck in the head with a Department issued shotgun by an officer during the struggle.

On August 22, 2012, around 10:35 a.m., detectives and officers assigned to the Los Angeles Police Department’s Criminal Gang Homicide Division (CGHD) were assisting the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives by conducting a controlled gun buy operation in Pacific Area. LAPD uniformed Metropolitan Division officers and Air Support Division also offered support and assistance to the operation.

A suspect, 37-year-old Robert Tidwell, had just completed a firearms purchase and was leaving the area when he was confronted by uniformed officers. Tidwell ran from officers but was caught in a parking lot in the 7400 block of La Tijera Boulevard. As officers were taking Tidwell into custody he failed to comply with the officer’s commands and he struggled with the officers trying to handcuff him.

During the arrest one officer struck Tidwell once in the head with the shotgun he was carrying. The suspect was taken into custody and the officers immediately called for medical assistance. Los Angeles City paramedics responded and transported the suspect to a local area hospital where he was treated and released for booking. No officers were injured during this incident.

Force Investigation Division responded and are investigating this incident.

The investigation will ultimately be reviewed by the Chief of Police, the Office of the Inspector General and Board of Police Commissioners for compliance with the Department’s use-of-force policy which states that an officer’s use-of-force actions must be objectively reasonable. Additionally, the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Justice System Integrity Division will conduct a comprehensive review of the facts of this use of force.